California Inflation Reduction Act Grants

Funder: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)

The California Inflation Reduction Act Grants support Urban and Community Forestry projects aimed at enhancing tree canopy access and community engagement, particularly in disadvantaged areas. With a state allocation of $30.8 million, these grants promote climate resilience, combat extreme heat, and improve forest health. Funded by the USDA Forest Service, the initiative aligns with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, ensuring equitable access to the benefits of urban trees and fostering community involvement in environmental stewardship.

Urban and Community Forestry Grants
The Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program strives to increase the long-term benefits trees provide, improve the public’s understanding and appreciation of urban trees, and advance urban forest management and tree care. Special consideration is given to projects serving disadvantaged and/or low-income communities.
In 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Program awarded $1.5 billion to states, projects, and national initiatives that support urban communities in ensuring equitable access to trees and their benefits via the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022. The USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program is a covered program under President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, established through Executive Order 13985.
The Inflation Reduction Act provides up to $1.5 billion for Urban and Community Forestry investments across the nation that foster:
Increased and equitable access to urban tree canopy and associated human health, environmental, and economic benefits in disadvantaged communities,Broadened community engagement in local urban forest planning, tree planting, and management activities, andImproved community and urban forest resilience to climate change, extreme heat, forest pests and diseases, and storm events through best management and maintenance practices.
The USDA Forest Service UCF Program assists State Forestry agencies and partner organizations like CAL FIRE in addressing and applying nature-based solutions to chronic and emergent economic, social, and environmental challenges in communities across the United States by providing direct funding to communities and especially to communities experiencing low urban tree canopy, dead and hazardous tree conditions, extreme heat and severe flooding, and limited awareness of or access to green job workforce to help them:
Become more resilient to climate changeCombat extreme heat with the cooling effects of increased urban tree canopyExperience improved forest health conditions and safer access to tree benefitsAttain broadened exposure and access to environmental career pathways.
California received a state allocation of Inflation Reduction Act funds, of which $30.8 million is available for grant projects working at a community, regional, or statewide scale in this funding opportunity.